Condenser Fan Motors

May 14th, 2013

Just a little bit about condenser fan motors. This is the motor that is located in the outside unit at your home or business. Fan motor with attached blade is what transfers the heat of the condensing unit to the outside air. The reason I want to write a page about this particular control, is that it has a lot to do with compressor failure. Residences condenser fan motor’s are assisted by a run capacitor. They also have a device that most homeowners are not aware of. This is called an internal thermal overload protector. This is a small device wired into the motor wiring that protects the motor from burning up. This is a small thermostatic type electricity switch that allows the motor to cool down,then resets and restarts the fan.

The importance of this device, is that it keeps the motor from self-destructing or catching a fire. The last thing you would want is a fire within a few feet of your house. So it is a needed device. The problem with this device is that when it operates properly it controls the fan blade and motor. If the motor fails the compressor will continue to run but it will exceed its pressure limitations. Forcing the compressor to start malfunctioning and overworking its safety controls. In the compressor. This will weaken the internal controls,and replacement of the fan motor may result in a waste of money. There are two safety controls. An internal overload pressure relief valve, and an internal electric overload just as the fan motor has. In addition some units generally of the upper quality have additional controls called high and low pressure freon switches. All these controls have to work together to keep the compressor from a failure.

I have placed some pictures at the top of this page there again so that you can see and learn what we’re trying to teach you. I think the more that we teach our customers how an air conditioner runs and functions the better they will be prepared to understand when a unit is having a problem. The key symptom for this control malfunctioning is that the fan blade and motor on your outdoor unit will stop turning. If you walk outside you will be able to hear the compressor continuing to run the making several different sounds than you’ve never heard before. This would be your first clue to turn the unit off. It will also not be cooling normally inside. At this point it’s time to call someone for help.